California ‘butt lady’ convicted in murder of ‘Married… With Children’ actress Cindyana Santangelo over silicone injection

A California woman known as “the butt lady” has been found guilty of murdering “Married … with Children” actress Cindyana Santangelo during a fatal silicone injection session. The 55-year-old woman, Libby Adame, was convicted of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without a license in connection with the death of the 58-year-old actress on March 24.

Santangelo tragically passed away after being rushed from her Malibu home to a Ventura County hospital, where officials determined that an embolism from a silicone injection caused her death. Adame, who was on probation at the time from a previous involuntary manslaughter case related to buttocks injections that resulted in the death of another woman in 2019, was also found guilty of practicing medicine without a license.

During the trial, Adame’s defense attorney argued that she was only at Santangelo’s home as a consultant on behalf of doctors who could legally perform buttocks injections in Tijuana, Mexico. The attorney claimed that Adame did not have enough time to perform the procedure on Santangelo and criticized investigators for attributing the actress’s death to her without a thorough investigation.

Adame, also known as “La Tia,” had previously been involved in a similar case in 2019 that resulted in the death of another woman. She was sentenced to four years and four months in prison but was released early due to time served. Adame’s daughter and accomplice, Alicia Galaz, were acquitted of murder charges in that case.

Despite the guilty verdict, Adame’s attorney announced plans to file an appeal on the second-degree murder conviction. Adame has been in custody since her arrest in May and is scheduled for sentencing on November 5. Second-degree murder in California carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, and practicing medicine without a license can result in up to three years in prison. Adame was also found guilty of causing great bodily injury, which could add an additional three to six years to her sentence.

Santangelo’s husband, Frank Santangelo, who is suing Adame for wrongful death, expressed relief that justice has been served. He described his wife’s death as a preventable tragedy and highlighted the impact it had on their family.

Cindyana Santangelo began her career in the entertainment industry in 1989 and appeared in various music videos, TV shows, and films over the years. She gained recognition for her role as Sierra Madre on “Married…With Children” and went on to appear in popular shows like “CSI: Miami” and “ER.” Her film credits include “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane” and “Hollywood Homicide,” where she worked alongside renowned actors like Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett.

The tragic death of Cindyana Santangelo has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, highlighting the dangers of unlicensed medical procedures and the importance of ensuring safety in cosmetic treatments. The legal proceedings against Libby Adame serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of illegal and unsafe practices in the beauty industry.